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Los Angeles Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Atlanta rapper Cash Out gets life sentence after RICO, sex trafficking conviction
The trial, which began in June, alleged that Cash Out and his family members had forced women into sex work. Rapper Cash Out, whose real name is John-Michael Hakeem Gibson, was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years on Monday after being found guilty in his RICO and sex trafficking case. On Friday, the 34-year-old artist received a guilty verdict in an Atlanta court. According to WSB-TV Atlanta , the life sentence plus 70 years will run concurrently. His mother, Linda Smith, was sentenced to 30 years, and his cousin, Tyrone Taylor, was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years. Gibson is known for his 2014 platinum hit 'Cashin' Out' and 'She Twerkin.' He released one studio album in 2014, 'Let's Get It,' and six mixtapes. Advertisement His career was stalled when he was arrested in a Georgia prostitution sting in June 2019. The trial, which began this past June, brought forth allegations that Gibson, his cousin and his mother had forced women into sex work. When they operated the 'house of horrors,' they were also said to have coordinated the sale of women and the corresponding payments. Prosecutors presented text messages from eight different phones as evidence. 'This has been going on for seven years,' Fulton County prosecutor Earnelle Winfrey said to the Atlanta courtroom on Friday. 'This ain't just straight pimping — this is trafficking.' She added that though they were 'pimping, for sure,' it was the 'force and cohesion' of the operation that made it trafficking. Advertisement Gibson first faced charges in June 2023. His legal team claimed that victims were pushed to testify. In closing arguments, his team argued that the women involved were not forced. His mother claimed that she was unaware of the trafficking, but prosecutors cited payment receipts linking her to the offenses. This included a leased residence where some of the victims were said to be housed. Additionally, witnesses claimed that Smith had engaged in prostitution herself.
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
What are the charges against Ca$h Out? What to know as rapper is sentenced to life in prison
Rapper Ca$h Out, whose real name is John‑Michael Hakeem Gibson, has been sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years after being convicted on multiple charges, WSB-TV Atlanta reported. On July 18, Gibson was found guilty of rape, aggravated sodomy, violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for leading a prostitution enterprise, two counts of trafficking a person, pimping, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, battery, possession of a firearm during a felony, and other offenses. Ca$h Out, 34, born in Columbus was found guilty of rape, aggravated sodomy, violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.((Instagram/@1cashout)) He was acquitted of felony aggravated assault, according to his defense attorney Careton R. Matthews, according to USA Today report. Also Read: Rapper Ca$h Out gets life sentence; mother and cousin also convicted in RICO case John Gibson's mother and friend convicted Gibson's mother, Linda Smith, and his friend, Tyrone Taylor, were also convicted. Prosecutors told the 12-person jury that they ran a business and forced victims into prostitution. During the trial, Matthews said the prosecution failed to prove its case and called some charges 'overblown.' He added that accusers 'voluntarily reconnected with Gibson and contradicted themselves repeatedly.' Before sentencing, the judge said the evidence showed 'the very worst of human behavior toward other human beings.' The judge stated that the verdict demonstrated prosecutors 'proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the diabolical conduct of the defendants occurred,' and the sentence reflected that. Matthews said Monday, 'We do respect the court's process and jury's decision, however we're disappointed with the verdict and the sentence. He maintains his innocence on many of these charges and may file an appeal or a motion for a new trial.' Ca$h Out, 34, was born in Columbus, Georgia. He signed with Epic Records and released his 2011 single "Cashin' Out," which reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. In August 2014, Gibson released the album "Let's Get It," which included the hit single "She Twerkin."
Metro
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Rapper Cash Out sentenced to life in prison for rape and racketeering
Platinum-selling rapper Cash Out has been handed a life prison sentence after being found guilty of rape and racketeering. The musician, 34, rose to fame in 2011 with his single Cashin' Out, released under Epic Records and which peaked at number 36 on the US charts. He is also known for his debut album, Let's Get It. Real name John-Michael Hakeem Gibson, he appeared in court in Atlanta for his verdict last week. Convicted of rape, he was then sentenced to life behind bars, as well as an additional 70 years under RICO (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act). These charges include racketeering, sex trafficking, firearm possession, and other related offences. As per WSB-TV Atlanta, some of the sentences will be concurrent (at the same time) and others consecutive. Gibson's mother, Linda Smith, also received 30 years, 20 for racketeering and 10, served concurrently, for sex trafficking. His cousin, Tyrone Taylor, was sentenced to life for aggravated sodomy and rape, plus 60 years for sex trafficking, assault, false imprisonment, and drug possession. All three will be placed on the sex offenders register and prohibited from contacting any victims in the future or returning to areas related to their crimes. This includes Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Charges were first brought against Gibson in June 2023. At the time, his lawyers argued that the victims were bullied into testifying by authorities. But, during the trial, it has been argued that Gibson attempted to silence witnesses with the help of his mother. The jury was shown interrogation footage of Smith from 2021, filmed after she had been taken into custody at a physical therapy clinic. She denied any wrongdoing in the video, saying she had visited the facility to look for her friend who had skipped a probation appointment. But in a series of phone calls played to the court, Gibson could be heard instructing his mother to find the missing woman. 'I mean, y'all acting like I done kidnapped her,' Smith is believed to have said during questioning. However, prosecutors have maintained that Gibson engaged in a 'seven-year reign of terror'. The She Twerkin' hitmaker's trial then began two months ago after he, Smith, and Taylor were accused of coercing and forcing women into sex. Prosecutors said that these women were exploited for profit and that Gibson used his star status to pursue the crimes. This included the trio using their record company, Pyrez Music Group, to entice and recruit young women. They were accused of telling the women they would receive financial rewards and increased positions of power in the company in return. While testifying, one witness reported that she was only given food if she performed sex acts for money. Fulton County prosecutor Earnell Winfrey told the court: 'This ain't just straight pimping—this is trafficking.' More Trending Ahead of his sentencing, Gibson said he thought the jurors 'made the wrong judgment' by finding him guilty, maintaining his innocence. He also claimed that all the women were of legal age and consented to their treatment. Meanwhile, key evidence presented in the case included text messages from eight different mobile phones, showing a trail of their activities. Said messages are believed to have documented their illegal operations and the coordination between the three defendants. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Cheaper by the Dozen child star Jimmy Hunt dies aged 85 MORE: Linkin Park refuse to play poignant song live after Chester Bennington's death MORE: TV soap legend Eileen Fulton died aged 91
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rapper Cash Out Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 70 Years on RICO and Sex Trafficking Charges
Rapper Cash Out has been sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years after being found guilty in his RICO and sexual assault case. Cash Out, born John Gibson, was found guilty on Friday in his Atlanta trial. He was sentenced to life in prison for his rape charge as well as an additional 70 years for RICO and his other convictions, according to WSB-TV Atlanta. The sentences will be concurrent. More from Variety 'Cash Out' Review: John Travolta Goes Through the Motions in Uninspired Crypto Caper The Atlanta emcee experienced moderate success in the early 2010s, with his 2012 debut single, 'Cashin' Out,' reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Airplay chart. He scored another hit with 'She Twerkin' two years later, when he also released his sole album, 'Let's Get It.' Alongside his sentencing, his mother Linda Smith was also sentenced to 30 years on RICO charges, while his cousin Tyrone Taylor was given life in prison plus 70 years. The trial, which began two months ago, concerned allegations that Cash Out, his mother and cousin coerced and forced women into sex work over the course of several years. They were accused of exploiting women for profit, with prosecutors using evidence that included text messages from eight cellphones. Charges were initially brought in June 2023 against Cash Out, who allegedly leveraged his celebrity status to commit his crimes. His legal team argued that the victims were bullied into testifying against him, while the prosecution claimed that he had engaged in a 'seven-year reign of terror.' 'This has been going on for seven years,' said Fulton County prosecutor Earnell Winfrey during the trial. 'This ain't just straight pimping—this is trafficking.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
India Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Unreleased Beyonce songs stolen from car during Atlanta Cowboy Carter tour
Unreleased Beyonce tracks were reportedly taken from her choreographer and a dancer after their rental car was broken into less than two days before she started her series of 'Cowboy Carter' performances in Monday, an arrest warrant was issued for anunidentified suspect believed to have broken into the vehicle on July 8 and stolen jump drives containing unreleased music, footage plans for the live show, and both previous and forthcoming set to WSB-TV Atlanta, choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue also reported that the thieves took clothing, designer sunglasses, laptops, and a pair of AirPods Max headphones. Police tracked the stolen headphones using the Find My feature to an undisclosed location and are pursuing several leads. The incident report states, 'Mr Grant advised he was also carrying some personal sensitive information for the musician Beyonce.''He said he was her choreographer and that Mr Diandre Blue was a dancer for her, and that hard drives for her upcoming Atlanta show were also stolen. These hard drives contained watermarked music, some unreleased tracks, footage plans for the show, and past and future set lists.'Beyonce is approaching the final stages of her 'Cowboy Carter' tour, with her four Atlanta shows set to conclude tonight. She is then due to perform two nights in Las Vegas, marking the end of the tour, which began in Los Angeles on August 28.- EndsMust Watch
